Letter: It's a small world - separated by technology

The following is a letter to the editor that was sent to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Haley Baas, Mattawan

Today you often hear the words “it’s a small world” used in many different contexts. Like when you are introduced to someone new, you find a relationship or connection from long ago, a common comment to these findings is “it’s a small world." But with 7.046 billion inhabitants, is the world really all that small?

Back in the 1700’s you knew every one in your area, and across the states, and the phrase “it’s a small world” was of a much greater meaning. 1700’s was a difficult era, fighting the lack of independence, vastly separated by loyalties to Britain — as in the patriots, loyalists and neutralists — yet the Americans would over look the differences in beliefs and become friends.

It was proper custom to introduce yourself to anyone you come into slight contact with and to introduce your significant other. Coming into the home of someone from a different area, you had to meet their family and friends. Midnight riders would ride through the states at midnight delivering and picking mail up. Meeting many new people on the way and passing on their mail, helping connect people who have the same interests. Making the state-to-state distance seem much smaller, connecting people by fellowship.

Today, we can send a text or email and be connected very quickly but without the face-to-face contact or heart-to-heart letter. Back then “it’s a small world” was true, but now the separation of states has become vast. And it will get worse as technology becomes stronger. Learning customs of our intelligent ancestors could bring true meaning to our abused phrase “it’s a small world.”